The Saudi project to clear Yemeni lands of mines, "MASAM," announced on Sunday, July 21, 2024, that its teams had removed 989 mines in several Yemeni governorates during the past week, bringing the total number of mines removed since the beginning of July to 2,840.

According to a statement released by the project, seen by "Barran Press," MASAM teams successfully removed 5 anti-personnel mines, 46 anti-tank mines, 935 unexploded ordnance, and 3 improvised explosive devices.

The statement highlighted that 277 unexploded ordnance were removed in Aden governorate, one in Qataba district of Al-Dhale governorate, while MASAM teams removed 7 unexploded ordnance in Hays district and 11 in Al-Khokha district.

In Marib governorate, MASAM teams removed one unexploded ordnance in Raghwan district, one anti-personnel mine in Harib district, and 43 anti-tank mines and 495 unexploded ordnance in Marib district, according to the statement.

In Shabwa governorate, MASAM reported that its teams removed 9 unexploded ordnance in Asilan district and two anti-personnel mines in Ain district.

The statement also revealed that in Taiz governorate, MASAM teams removed two anti-personnel mines, three anti-tank mines, and 59 unexploded ordnance in Dhabab district, 75 unexploded ordnance in Al-Mukha district, and 3 improvised explosive devices in Saber district.

The statement confirmed that the number of mines removed during July has reached 2,840, bringing the total number of mines removed since the beginning of the "MASAM" project to 451,908. These mines were randomly planted across Yemeni lands, aiming to claim more innocent victims, including children, women, and the elderly.

On Sunday, July 14, 2024, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center announced the extension of the "MASAM" project for one year, allocating $35,998,500 for its implementation, according to the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

Launched in 2018, the "MASAM" project aims to clear Yemen of mines as a humanitarian initiative within the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center's efforts in Yemen. It currently comprises 32 demining teams operating in areas controlled by the internationally recognized government.

Last June, Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council President Rashad Al-Alimi issued two decrees awarding the "MASAM" project and the National Mine Action Programme the Medal of Courage, in recognition of their role in clearing Yemeni lands of mines, unexploded ordnance, and explosives planted by the Houthi group, which is internationally listed as a terrorist organization.

UN reports indicate that the Houthi group has planted around two million mines in various areas under their control, resulting in the death and injury of over 20,000 civilians, mostly women and children.

While human rights reports accuse the Houthis of "turning Yemen into the largest minefield ever, after planting over two million mines," human rights organizations repeatedly call on the group to hand over maps of the landmines they planted to organizations working in the field of demining.